August 31, 2006

MetroDad's Top 10 Celebrity Encounters

While we were hanging out, I started asking Greg (of daddytypes) about a recent post he'd written discussing his conversations and e-mails with various celebrities with whom he'd exchanged parenting tips. Naturally, I thought I'd be able to bribe Greg with Diet Coke until he told me who those celebrities were.

Needless to say, Greg is a much better man than I am and he totally refused to reveal his sources or give me any good gossip.

Anyway...the whole conversation got me thinking about MY random encounters with celebrities. Having lived in NYC for most of my life, I've had my fair share of celebrity sightings over the years. You see them everywhere in New York...at the market, at the playground, or at restaurants around town. However, I'm fairly jaded and non-plussed about meeting "famous" people. Who really gives a shit? For the most part, the celebrities I've met have been fairly boring and didn't really have much to say. I also abhor this growing trend of putting celebrities up on a pedestal. Drives me nuts.

However, there are a few celebrities I've met over the years where there was a good story involved. So naturally, I thought I'd post my favorites here on the blog. Please note that the following stories are all true and, for better or worse, most likely reflect more poorly on me than on any of the celebrities mentioned.

That being said, here are my Top 10 favorite celebrity encounters...

#10. Kevin Costner

It was 1991 and I was in Sun Valley, Idaho, skiing with some friends from college. It was late at night and we were drinking at Whiskey Jacques (one of the all-time grungiest and funnest ski bars anywhere.) I'm standing at a urinal pissing out about 20 gallons of beer when the guy next to me says, "Really tapping that valve, aren't you, buddy?" I turn around and who do I see? Kevin Costner! Without missing a beat, I let go of my penis, put both my hands on top of my head, and yelled, "Tatonka!" My buddy Will started laughing so hard that I think he may have peed all over the floor. However, I'd like to report that Costner was totally cool. Not only die he laugh with us but he also ended up buying us a few pitchers of beer. Very down-to-earth guy and extremely likable in person.

#9. Leonardo DiCaprio

For me and my friends, the party of the year in New York was always the MTV Video Awards show. For the after-party, MTV would take over Bryant Park and turn it into the greatest one-night scene you've ever witnessed. Every year, a friend of mine in the music industry would get a single ticket to the party. And every year, my buddies and I would go down to Kinko's and pay off an employee to make exact duplicates of that ticket. Man, some of those guys at Kinko's are geniuses! Anyway, in 1997, we were at the bar hanging out when Leonardo Caprio came over. One thing led to another and, before we knew it, we were all drinking tequila shots together. Let me tell you something. For a tiny, little guy, Leo DiCaprio can drink tequila like a Mexican donkey. For a solid hour, he drank all of us under the table. In fact, the next day, my buddy Andy had to call all of us to ask how he got home.

#8. Howard Stern

When Howard Stern was on the radio, BossLady and I used to wake up to him every morning. Many times, Howard would say something so outrageous that we'd both wake up laughing hysterically. Back then, Howard lived in our neighborhood so we'd always see him walking to the park. In person, he was the nicest, sweetest guy. Every time he saw us, he'd come over and start playing with MetroDog and tell us how he was going to get a French Bulldog just like him. One morning, we're listening to his show and suddenly he starts talking about MetroDog! How fucking cool is that? (FYI...MetroDog is sort of a celebrity himself. If any of you are on AOL, surf around the portal and you'll see him. He's the official AOL dog in all the online promos.)

#7. Mayor Ed Koch

Another urinal story. Happened right after Ed Koch lost his re-election bid to be NYC's mayor. I was at some random off-Broadway play and, during intermission, I went to the Men's room. There must have been 10 urinals lined up in a row. It was more like a trough than a toilet. Anyway, as I was taking a leak, I looked to my side and I saw that the guy peeing next to me was Ed Koch. Holy shit! Ed Koch! Everyone else in the bathroom notices him too and a few guys start pleading with the ex-Mayor, "C'mon, Mr. Mayor. Say it! Say it!" Koch just continues peeing and doesn't even say a word. He just smiles coyly and goes to wash his hands. However, right as he's leaving the bathroom, he turns around to all of us, gives us a big thumbs up, and, with a giant shit-eating grin on his face, yells, "How'm I doing?" (the famous catch-phrase of his mayoral term.) Needless to say, the entire bathroom erupted in laughter and applause. It was awesome.

#6. Ray Manzarek

When I was in college at Berkeley, a friend dragged me to Cody's Bookstore on Telegraph Ave. to hear Ray Manzarek, the famous keyboardist for The Doors, give a lecture and poetry reading. My buddy was a huge Doors fan. Me? I was more into The Cure, Morrissey, and The Smiths. I never really listened to The Doors. However, for some reason, I decided to tag along with him and I'm glad I did. Ray Manzarek turned out to be a fascinating man with some amazing stories to tell. After the reading, he invited a bunch of students to Zachary's for some beers and pizza together. For the next few hours, we listened raptly as he regaled us with stories about Jim Morrison, John Coltrane, poetry and his love of opera. Possibly one of the most fascinating people I've ever met.

#5. Liev Schreiber

Back in the late 90's, one of my friends was dating Liev Schreiber. One night, a bunch of us decided to meet up at a bar down in the East Village. However, I had just gone to a cocktail party and showed up at the bar completely wasted. When my friend introduced me to Liev, we shook hands and I said, "Hey, good to see you again. We met last week." He was totally polite but said that he didn't remember ever meeting me. Of course, I got totally annoyed and kept insisting that we had met before. By the end of the night, I was totally pissed off and thought that he was an arrogant a-hole. Sure, he may have seemed like a nice guy but I knew the truth. Or at least I thought I did. Turns out that the week before, I had seen him. At my home. On my TV. While watching "The Daytrippers" on DVD. I'm a complete and total fucking idiot.

#4. Phoebe Cates

Back in 1994, I was living in a tiny apartment. The place was too small to swing a cat but I absolutely loved
living in the building. One of the main reasons? Because Phoebe Cates lived there! Dude...Phoebe Cates! For a young man in his 20's who spent many long hours during his youth
replaying the pool scene in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," life doesn't get much better than that. All of you men out there know what I'm talking about, right? Anyway, I'd like to say that Phoebe Cates is even more beautiful in person and would probably even look great wearing a trash bag. One time, she turned to me in the elevator to say hello and I totally spazzed out. I don't know exactly what I said but it came out like, "boogahasdjoaooga." I think she thought I was retarded. After I got out of the elevator, I wiped the spittle off my chin and banged my head against a wall for half an hour. Smooth, MD. Smooth.

#3. Sting

My friend, Henry, spent some time as a struggling NYC actor and was once represented by an agency owned by Ian Copeland, the brother of Stewart Copeland (drummer for the Police.) One night, back in 1987, we were hanging out at Henry's apartment when the doorbell rang. We opened the door and Ian walks in with Sting and a few other people. Everyone starts milling about and socializing except for Sting, who becomes engrossed in some of the art books that Henry owns. Honestly, I forget the guy is even there until I feel a light tap on my shoulder. I look up and Sting is passing me a joint. I didn't really smoke pot then. However, the one thing I did know is that when Sting passes you a fucking joint, you better smoke that shit up!

#2. Bruce Springsteen

Recently, our friends took their daughter, Laura, to Sesame Place theme park. During the parade, Elmo came by and brushed his hand against Laura's cheek. Apparently, Laura was in such awe that not only was she rendered speechless, she also couldn't stop touching her cheek to make sure it really happened. Well, that's sort of how I felt when I met Bruce Springsteen backstage at one of his concerts. He shook my hand and said, "Good to meet you." That's it. The whole encounter took less than a second but I almost fainted like the pathetic little schoolgirl that I am. Truly sad. However, for a die-hard Springsteen fan like myself, this was as good as it was ever going to get. I can now die a happy man.

#1. Carson Daly

Every year, I have to go to Vegas for the fashion industry's bi-annual trade show. I hate being there and I usually try to get back home as soon as possible. A few years ago, all my clients pushed up our meetings and I found myself with a free night. So, after dinner, I decided to hit the blackjack table by myself. The last two times I had been in Vegas, I hadn't done any gambling. Well, you know when you've been dieting and you reach for that one potato chip and, next thing you know, you've eaten the entire bag? That's me at a blackjack table. Once I get started, I can't stop. I started out with $50 and, after a few hours, I was dead even but had a pretty nice buzz from all the scotch.

Two guys end up sitting next to me at the table. Suddenly, the three of us start going on a fantastic run. We can't lose. I'm not really betting that much so I'm still only up about $300. But we're partying, laughing and having a fun time. That's when I realize one of the guys was Carson Daly. As it turns out, he's a pretty cool guy. Did you know he was a theology major who went to college on a full golf scholarship and briefly considered entered the priesthood?

Anyway...as Carson and his buddy are getting up to leave, he asks me if I want to join them at a small party in a private part of the casino. Sure, I say. After walking around a bit, I don't even know where we are anymore. Suddenly, we enter this room and...BAM! Music is pumping and they've set up private casino tables for the guests. I grab a few more drinks, cruise around the party myself, and then sit down at one of the private blackjack tables.

From there, the details get a little fuzzy. At 6:00 am, I remember stumbling around the casino to find my hotel room. Three hours later, my alarm clock goes off. I wake up, look over at my bedside table, and what do I see? About $4,000 in hundred-dollar bills!

Since BossLady and I used that money to pay for a much-needed new fridge and toilet, that's my favorite celebrity encounter.

Wow would love to have met phoebe cates, love her! I don't know anyone who didn't have a crush on her, girl or guy..
Famous people I've met: Wesley Snipes hit on me in a dive bar (Phoebe's) next to NYU. Woody H. was with him at the time, I might have gone for Woody if he sang me the Kelly Kelly song but Wesley has the asian fetish...
Met Billy Zane at a bar on Central Park South, he seemed cool and stopped to have a drink with us until my drunk aussie friend made some rude reference to Billy's receding hairline and toupees. Pretty classy guy considering, didn't say a word, just walked off..
Recently attended a small wedding of a friend who invited his ex brother-in-law, Craig Sheffer, nice guy didn't say much...
Met Janeane Garafolo on a roof top bar in midtown, I don't think she liked it when I asked if my very hot and star struck girlfriend from Brazil could take a picture with her boyfriend (some dude in some B movie called the 13th floor). I don't think he liked me either because I mistakenly asked if he was the guy in 14th Floor. It was hilarious that my foreign friend new exactly who he was and wanted to know what a hunk like him was doing with such a chubby unattractive woman....
Other random sightings in NY, shopping in Antique Boutique with Will Smith, dining in Nobu with Jennifer Aniston at the next table etc.. but I think atleast a few words have to be exchanged to count as an encounter, no?
The #1 Celebrity I'd like to meet is Oprah. I love her life philosophy, my husband says I'm part of the Oprah Cult. I can't deny it. She fascinates me because if a poor, obese black woman can make it to the top of the world in this racist, classist society then ANYTHING is possible. I think it's genius that she makes no apologies for her wealth, uses philantrophy to self promote and gets to help the causes she believes in at the same time....
I'm not a blogger and I don't have kids yet but I love your blog MD. You represent the part of NY I actually miss, the humour in the madness of it all. I don't miss the madness but things aren't nearly as funny elsewhere either. I stumbled across your nanny post when I googled korean nannies, hilarious and good point! Thanks for the laughs....
OHHH, and I too thought you were Caron Daly's whore for a sec. I had to reread the part about the 4k on your nightstand, sry had a vision of you in bed holding up the blanket like Eddie Murphy in Boomerang...

Growing up in Englewood, New Joisey lent itself lots of opportunities to come across some great musicians. George Benson was our neighbor, The Sugar Hill Gang roamed the streets in ankle length furs and gold chains in rythm back in the early 80s, and Eddy Murphy was a few blocks away (hey, he sang "My Girl Wants to Party All the Time", right?)

My bro went to school with Brooke Shields, and did actually factually get to 2nd base with her, and I went to school with Aisha Wonder (but no second base). Stevie sang at a few of our school events.

Someone mentioned Anthony Micheal Hall? Well our close friend growing up was raised by a nanny for the most part, and she dated a few of them fellas from the brat pack. She used to have them over for lengthy parties, and they would buy us those little bottles of Bud. And play spin the bottle with us once we hit 8th grade.....

I lived in Las Vegas for half a dozen years or so, and that's another great place to meet celebrities on the street. My favorite was Mike Myers. I was at the forum shops at caesar's palace about 10 years ago, showing some out-of-town friends around. Suddenly I look up, and Mike Myers is walking past me in a baseball cap. I stopped dead, told my friends, and we followed him through the mall until we worked up enough courage to get his autograph. He was totally gracious, and wearing converse all stars. He ducked his head, just like he does on the TV, and smiled, and went into The Athlete's Foot to shop. No one else in the mall recognized him.

I have also met or seen many others, but my mom's met more, and she still lives in Las Vegas. She was at Siegfried's birthday party just days before he was attacked by Manticore. When 20/20 aired a special on the attack, I was shocked to see my mom go dancing across the screen in one of the clips of the party they showed! :)

I can't believe I didn't remember this. I don't know if it really counts as a celebrity encounter but he looked in my general direction. Way back in 1994, some 60 Castlemont HS (Oakland, CA) students got kicked out of the Grand Lake Theater's showing of Schindler's List because some of them were laughing during a scene where a Jewish woman was shot in the head. Somehow, it was a slow news week in Oakland and so this of course gets plastered on the front page of the Oakland Tribune, which caused all sorts of editorials on inner city schools, tolerance, and whatnot...so, to address all the hoopla, the students were rewarded with a visit from Steven Spielburg.

They busted out their award winning choir, dragged the entire student body to an assembly. As editor of the high school across town's newspaper (shocking I know, we sucked), I was invited to attend and cover the event.
Mr. Spielberg was really cool, looked just like he did on TV, and talked about how this little incident became such a big deal. He also mentioned that he got kicked out of Ben Hur for laughing when he was a kid. Teenagers...tsk tsk.

...As I was walking down to claim my prize I was so lost in how good The Blood of Heroes was that I didn't realize that there was a girl walking up towards me. And our eyes met. Tamlyn. She was personally bringing me my trivia prize. And it all came back to me. That summer in 1986. We were so young Tamlyn. You with the crazy big hair with wispy tendrils. Me with my Members Only jacket because yes...I am a member. That fool Daniel and his stupid drum. And like a wicked case of Tourette's I feel the words rising up in me...You Keep For Your Correction. You Keep for Your Correction. Must...not....say...it.

A while back, I sat next to William Hung on a plane (http://www.xanga.com/item.aspx?user=Mishkabobs&tab=weblogs&uid=83747566). It was magical.

Another time, Michelle Kwan bumped into my shoulder at a bar. She said sorry. Then she started dancing with her hockey player date. I must say, for a world champion figure skater, she doesn't have much rhythm.

My favorite was meeting David Canary (the silver-haired guy who plays Adam/Stuart on All My Children) at a wedding a few years back. Noodle tried to pickpocket his wife's purse and luckily, he thought that was hysterically funny and went on and on about how cute she was. :)

Others:
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg
-the guy who played Clayton on "Benson"
-I had a class in college with Melissa from "Real World:Miami" in 93
-I saw Lenny Kravitz walking down Ocean Drive back in the mid/late 90s

Growing up in Miami was a good place to see celebrities or kids of celebrities. My brother, for example, was friends with Arturo Sandoval's son, and I had friends who went to school with Enrique Iglesias.

Also, my dad was a cop so he guarded a bunch of celebrities, like the Bee Gees (!) and a couple Presidents. Because he would work the wrestling matches, he knew The Rock's grandfather and parents and likes to tell stories about how he used to know The Rock back when he was just a gawky kid named Dwayne.

I would give anything to meet the BOSS! Thats my fave encounter you described. I never really listened to him growing up in Canada, but my hubby and father in law worship him and I have grown to madly love him. Have seen him 3 times in the past 2 years and he NEVER disappoints. good for you :)

When my cousin was 12, she was diagnosed with cancer. One day at the hospital, Howard Stern came to visit all the kids. I happened to be there that day and could not believe how sweet that man was. He was so unlike his radio personality. Just a really nice and mellow gentleman.

Harvey Weinstein was my sister's brother-in-law. We were having lunch one year at the Penninsula in Beverly Hills: my sister and her family, Harvey and his family, and he asked me if I had kids yet. When I said no, he asked if I was having fertility problems. Then he took a call (one of about 6 he took at lunch).

I like the Phoebe Cates one too- for me, an analagous encounter would be if I met Andrew McCarthy. I think I named one of my stuffed animals after him. That I practiced kissing on.

Keisha Knight who played Rudy Huxtable played with my fake guns (as in, from my holsters) at a rehearsal for my dance company in the late 80's. She was an alien conehead for her number, and me, a cowgirl westerner dancing to Wild, Wild, West. Yes, it was degrading.

Out at dinner in Florence on our honeymoon, Christy Turlington was sitting at the next table with a group of non-modelesque women. She said something to the group and they all turned around to look at me. I like to think that I was so pretty and chic in my asymmetrical one-shoulder dress, but I have a nagging suspicion that it was my ability to eat.

I like the Phoebe Cates one too- for me, an analagous encounter would be if I met Andrew McCarthy. I think I named one of my stuffed animals after him. That I practiced kissing on.

Keisha Knight who played Rudy Huxtable played with my fake guns (as in, from my holsters) at a rehearsal for my dance company in the late 80's. She was an alien conehead for her number, and me, a cowgirl westerner dancing to Wild, Wild, West. Yes, it was degrading.

Out at dinner in Florence on our honeymoon, Christy Turlington was sitting at the next table with a group of non-modelesque women. She said something to the group and they all turned around to look at me, smiling kindly. I like to think that I was so pretty and chic in my asymmetrical one-shoulder dress, but I have a nagging suspicion that it was my ability to eat more than any dignified woman should.

John Travolta was using my gym while filming in Baltimore and was resting quietly in between raquetball games in a deserted hallway. I walked by all nonchalant and all, but inside I was exclaiming, "I LOVED you in Grease!" (This was also before his face doubled in girth.)

It's not fair if you're from LA. You can't avoid them if you wanted to.

Best ever is pulling up in my 911 next to a classic limited edition 92 Carrera RS and saying to the guy next to me "Nice car. Did you ever race it?" He turns around and says "No - just one of the many I collect. Yours looks nice though. I like the 993" and I realize it's Jerry Seinfeld, who is known for his famous Porsche collection. Second is thinking how cute it is that the blonde in the Mercedes next to me is smiling and waving at my 2 year old daughter - and I realize it's Meg Ryan. Third is my mom who is sort of oblivious and was running late to a lunch with the ladies when she flipped her car keys to the first guy in a vest she saw. He politely came to the table to return them saying "sorry, miss, I am not the valet". She said she was sorry too but was more embarrassed when she realized she just asked Mel Gibson to park her car.

MD - the show in Vegas you described is chalk full of stars - they all have apparel lines, and it was this week. Too many stories to tell. Won't even start with Paris Hilton's record release party at Pure nightclub at Caeser's Tuesday night. WOW.

This is going to sound weird, coming from a Canadian, but there are too many to go into detail here. Highlights: partying with Johnny Depp back in his Jump Street days, when he was prone to trashing hotel rooms, getting felt up by a coked up Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode), cruising a gypsy barrio in Barcelona with the guys from De La Soul looking for pot (is there a theme emerging here...? My youth wasn't quite as wild as this makes it sound...)

Those are great. I've had only a couple of minor celebrity sightings (Met Andrew Shue a couple of years ago--quite short.) But about 8 years ago I was on a flight from San Francisco to Pittsburgh. I was terrified of flying and was getting tipsy from the free drinks in first class. I also noticed that the flight attendents were fawning all over the guy seated next to me. He told me that his sister-in-law was one of them and she was trying to fix him up. After about 2 solid hours of drinking and chatting, I asked him if he bought the Super Bowl Ring on his finger. He laughed and handed it to me. I saw the name Matt Barr on it, but it meant nothing to me. I told him that unless he was Joe Namath, Joe Thiesman or Joe Montana, I didn't know who he was. He laughed and laughed and we drank some more. He even held my hand on the landing. My husband was pretty surprised when he saw us stumbling and laughing off the plane.

I was taking a leak in a blues bar that had a trough urinal. Mojo Nixon & Skid Roper were performing that night. I was alone until Mojo came in and started whizzing beside me. I looked over and said "Mojo, you know that joke about the guy peeing next to John Wayne?" and he said "Yep!". Well, I pinched it off and turned to him and said "HEY, You're Mojo Nixon!!!" Mojo laughed and finished up his business. Can't say I have flashed any other celebrities.

I used to live in Williamstown and had two Christopher Reeve encounters. First, I walked into him while reading the back of a shampoo bottle in the drugstore. Slammed right into him. He was very kind. I felt like dirt.... The second time he sat with Dana right behind me at the movie theatre. We saw "Something Wild".

All these people who say they like Kevin Costner - did any of you read the article a few months ago that, while on his honeymoon in Scotland, he demanded sexual favors from the masseuse at his hotel...while his wife of 48 hours was sleeping a few rooms away? some woman lost her job over the incident when she complained and they settled. wow, that takes cajones to demand a happy ending 2 days after tying the knot!

Can't believe I forgot this....Patrick Dempsey (Gray's Anatomy) grew up one town over from me. He desperately wanted a job at the shoe store where I worked. and came in all the time. I saw his application and the handwriting was awful. He didn't get the job.

I work in media and used to be a college DJ so I've met my share of celebrities and high-profile politicians. Best encounters:

Mojo Nixon -- partied with him, band, and crew after a show in Atlanta around 1990 or so. Mojo was trying to getting a bunch of people (girls) to dance on the bar. He was walking back and forth, and walked straight into a spinning ceiling fan. Knocked him off the bar and flat on the floor. Bounced up like it was nothing. Johnny Knoxville stole this man's schtick.

The Pogues: Again, after party with the band. I'll say only this: do NOT try to outdrink or even match the Pogues when it comes to drinking. And no matter how much they try to convince you that grapefruit juice and vodka is good, it ain't.

RuPaul: Came to co-host my radio show a couple of times. Once, he sat in the studio applying his make up while answering phone calls from fans. Such a sweet person. Said he loved my dimples and wanted to dress me up.

A local politician/former civil rights leader who has since passed away once blindly reached for my arm and grabbed my boob. He and I both nearly fainted when we realized what happened. Me, from sheer horror, him from sheer delight and his stupid luck.

One time I sat behind Marilyn Manson (the whole band) at a Black Sabbath show. They smelled funny. I'm pretty sure that back in the day they used to wear Hello Kitty perfume as part of their "image".

I was really hung over and flying out of LAX and I said "hi" to Frank McCourt (He wrote "Angela's Ashes") because in my compromised state I thought I knew him.

I met Ice-T at a concert and I told him "My brother loves you!" He said "What about you?" and I had no answer.

One time I said hi to Max Cavelera (Sepultura, Soulfly) at a concert because I was drunk and I thought I knew him. (Yes, you are sensing a pattern.)

One time I saw Derrick Brooks in the grocery store and I almost pooped my pants. I would have accosted him but 1) He was wearing headphones and I didn't know if he would hear me gushing and 2) I was REALLY REALLY pregnant and I just didn't have the energy to chase him down.

I went up to Pete Stoyanovich (he used to be the kicker for the Dolphins) in a bar so that I could introduce him to my roommate who had a huge crush on him. He was there with his wife.

I sold an Alice in Chains cd to Jennifer Capriati when I worked at Peaches in Tampa.

Man, your celebrity encounters are hard core. No "can I have your autograph" stories for MetroDad! They all involve drinking, peeing, gambling, or some other intense bonding experience. And even your dog is famous?! We all knew you were charismatic, but this proves it.

Okay, I thought I could hold out and try to be cool... but I can't anymore.
1. Literally ran into Ray Liotta after wandering into the middle of a film set in Halifax, Nova Scotia... my now-husband had to tell me who it was because I didn't get a good look as I zoomed by.
2. Why do bathrooms figure into all celeb encounters at one point or another? Sylvester Stallone and I were heading for the same Port-O-Potty at the Molson Indy in Toronto. He's not very tall but totally built! He got there first.
3. Offered to allow Rick Mercer to cut the queue for the photocopier where I used to work because he only had one sheet and I had 200. Tiny, funny man.
4. John Cusack (a.k.a. the only man I'd leave my husband for) from across the street before the premiere of Max at the Toronto Film Festival. Nearly peed myself I was so excited!
5. Got drunk with Aidan Quinn's brother Paul at an Atlantic Film Festival after-party. He's a director.
That's it unless you count assorted well-known locally, but internationally unknown, bands and assorted politicians.

Hm, mine are fairly low-key - I went to school with Victor Bannerjee's daughters (one of them is a Bollywood director now) - he was in A Passage to India... really nice guy, really bitchy spoiled wife. Once partied with Timothy Leary (a bit of a letch). A jam band that was featured on Carson Daly show has a song named after me. I was working as a hostess at a restaurant where Andrew Firestone (some reality TV bachelor guy, also heir to some tire company as well as a vineyard... whateves, he was a spaz, thought he was god's gift to women; I, of course, ignored him firmly) did a promo... now, if I were to bump into De Niro... sigh, heaven...

I was backstage at the Grammys one year [long story], when I went to the bathroom right after it had started.

Anyway, after 3 Clapton wins in a row, the Red Hot Chili Peppers win one. And then Anthony Kiedis heads straight from the stage to the urinal next to me, where he parks his new Grammy. He goes, "hey, man," and so I look from the Grammy to him and go, "Wow, are you Eric Clapton!?"

Oh these are great!! I posted my celeb encounters last year but I did one-liners for the most part.

I love your Sting story, because as you know I've known him since 1984 when he INTRODUCED HIMSELF to me as I waited for my friend in the NY office of A&M. He's changed a bit over the years, a little more pretentious now, but still always gracious.

He sent a magnum of Perrier-Jouet to the wedding I attended last weekend. They were invited but couldn't attend.